One of the areas in London that have seen progressive development and improvement over the years is without a doubt Soho. Long gone are the days of sex shops, strip clubs, shady dealings and consigned prostitution that filled the area. That is all history. And while there is still a sense of risqué living in this central neighbourhood of London, more and more young entrepreneurs and culture-loving families find it right for them. 

Soho is full of many architectural surprises. The streets lined with Georgian houses, a large number of which have blue plaques to celebrate popular residents contain many interesting venues. Townhouse clubs, theatres, restaurants and cafes contribute to a reputation of lively and fascinating nightlife. Many new incomers have chosen Soho, due to the number of conversions still taking place – warehouses and offices becoming residential properties help. The population has doubled. Particularly common are the young entrepreneurs and empty-nesters looking to downsize from family homes in the suburbs. 

More than half of all homes are rented, and not owner-occupied. The big office building developments by Derwent – 1 and 2 Soho Place are going nicely and bringing in more businesses to the area. With a new 600-seat theatre on the way, Soho is also becoming more attractive as a place to visit on a weekend. 

Property scene  

Many fine Georgian houses are located in Soho. For example, there is a 4-bedroom house with a traditional interior and boasting a roof terrace for sale on D’Arblay Street for £4.95 million. Another striking example is the 5-storey, 4-bedroom Georgian house on the market for £4.9 million by Make Architects Timothy Tan and Christina Leung. Soho is rich in period conversions on a level above ground-based restaurants and shops. There are also plenty of office-to-residential conversion schemes going on. 2-bedroom houses in Richmond Mews fetch about £2.5 million. 

The new-build homes 

There is a Galliard development called Tottenham Court Road West consisting of 81 studios of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom flats divided over 2 blocks on Dean Street. Summer 2022 is the target for completion. The studios start at about £975.000, 1-bedroom flats at £1.495.000, 2-bedroom flats at £1.69 million and 3-bedroom flats at £2.4 million. 

First-time buyers 

Westminster residents can take advantage of up to £54.500 that Westminster Home Ownership Accelerator provides. This is to help with buying a home in London, following any period of renting a subsidized flat to accumulate a certain amount of savings. Langill Road in Maida Vale has 1-bedroom flats available at about £1.000 and 2-bedroom flats available at about £1.576 a month. 

Renting in the area of Soho 

Rental homes in the area are always in demand because many people are working hours in nearby restaurants and entertainment venues. The studios start at about £1.500/month, with 1-bedroom flats being around £2.000 and 2-bedroom flats about £2.500 per month. If there are any homes in Soho that are the most popular, it has to be the short-et flats, with a minimum rental of 90 days. Rents range anywhere between £2.300 for a studio flat and go up to £6.500 for a 3-bedroom duplex. 

Transport 

Soho is a London district with superb Underground stations. There is one in each of its four corners. Oxford Circus is on the Central, Bakerloo and Victoria lines. Leicester Square is on the Piccadilly and Northern lines, Piccadilly Circus is on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines and Tottenham Court Road is on the Northern and Central lines. 

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The area of Soho has long been regarded by Londoners and visitors to the capital alike as one of the most vibrant parts of the city. It seems its history of showing everyone around it some jolly time has given it quite the reputation for raucous nightlife, old-school pubs and so much more. Soho is a delightful mix of busy, sexy and grubby streets, where the sophisticated meet the unconventional. A lot of famous names have made it their home throughout various periods of history – Karl Marx, legendary musician Mozart and the famous band Sex Pistols. And while ‘sleazy’ is the word everyone thinks about when they consider Soho, the area has done a great deal to move beyond that. 

Today, it is like a tourist magnet, heading towards the West End shops. Young professionals dot the landscape, as they head to work, while patrons sample the finest foods and drinks in the restaurants around. When you take a stroll around, you will be able to soak in most of the wonders of the area. Here is where you can head while you are here: 

• Go for a stroll – when the weather is fine and you feel like it, you can check out the Golden Square and Soho Square, both of which are open. These are essentially sun traps, which usually attract many people. Be mindful of going there on the weekend, as free spots are premium. If you would much rather swerve the shade, check out the rooftops of Aqua Spirit, which is just off Regent Street. 

• Sway off the beaten track – if you wish to try out the unusual locations, then head down to Soho’s longest-running place for tattoos – Diamond Jacks. There is also a nice 1940s themed bar at Cahoots. 

• When it is raining – on what many would consider a regular day in London, you can go explore the ties that Soho has to the film industry. Shaftesbury Avenue is home to legendary Curzon. You can also check out Picturehouse on Piccadilly Circus. You can catch up to the latest blockbuster movies, or stop by an A-class play, both modern favourites and cult classics. There is enough to satisfy any taste. 

• Culture trip – The Photographer’s Gallery boasts an ever-changing programme of exhibitions, a bookshop and a delightful café. Being here means you won’t feel bored for a single second. There is also the option of Soho Theatre on Dean Street. It is highly-regarded by many theatre enthusiasts. You can check out some of the best up-and-coming comedians. A curious fact is that Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag debuted here. 

• Visit the bars – a great number of the bars in Soho stay up open till late. If you are a jazz enthusiast, then Ronnie Scott’s the place to be. If you are more into sweaty dance floors, then perhaps the atmosphere of G-A-Y will be more up your alley. El Camion is a fine bar for sipping tequilas till 3 am, so it is a nice place to visit if you are looking to stay late. 

As an area of London, Soho has managed to keep showing a unique face around. At the same time, it has soaked what the capital has to offer in terms of the environment. The result is an area that will hardly seem like any other, once you visit and stay for a while here. Soho is and will remain, an all-time tourist favourite hotspot. 

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Soho is one of the London areas you just know you are in, once you spot the neon lights and get a taste of the intoxicating smells from various pubs and restaurants. Soho is nothing short of a melting pot of food venue, nightlife and quite the reputation that surrounds it all. Many people are quick to judge it before they have even had a chance to explore it well. 

Soho is within walking distance of some of London’s most popular areas, such as Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and Chinatown. Situated among popular landmarks, it adds its unique charm to the area. 

Where is the area? 

If you want to visit by train, then there are a few stations to choose from: Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road. Other than these main stations, there are also two on the fringes: Covent Garden and Leicester Square, within a walking distance of 15 minutes. On the other hand, if you are driving here, the main roads are Tottenham Court Road, Charing Cross and Oxford Street. 

What to do in Soho? 

If you are after the attractions this area offers, then Carnaby Street is the place to visit. It is a shopping heaven, which has been immortalized in the work of various musicians and novelists. That is where pretty much every visit heads down first. Another thing you can indulge in is a West End show. The place is full to the brim with major theatres, like Soho, the London Palladium and the Palace, all of which reinforce the role of the area as a major hub for entertainment. And to top off an arty visit, make sure to check out Ronnie Scott’s jazz bar and the Photographers Gallery. 

Where to shop? 

Of all the shops in Soho, Liberty is probably the most famous one. It is a renowned designer department store, which any visitor will be more than thrilled to visit. It has a Tudor exterior and ranks among the best-represented stores with its prints. In general, Soho is a good place to shop, if you value vintage and retro clothing. That is exactly why you should not miss the opportunity to drop by Carnaby Street. Chinatown is also a good place to visit for some shopping, considering the plentiful shop it has. 

Where to eat in Soho? 

One of the things that reflects the fact Soho is rich in culture and diversity is the fact that it boasts a host of different restaurants and places to eat. For instance, you can start your day with a nice cup of coffee plus Portuguese custard tart at Fernandez & Wells. Later, you can check out what Broadwick Street has to offer for lunch. One of the best places to go for a business lunch is Ivy Soho Brasserie, which contains work from William Blake. Whatever taste in food you have, be it Italian, Szechuan, Indian, British or Sri Lankan, Soho is there to provide. 

Where to experience the best nightlife in Soho? 

As far as nightlife in Soho is concerned, one thing is for certain: you will never get bored! The area comes to life after dark, thanks to numerous venues that open up. Whether it is small pubs or fancy bars, Soho has it all. Soho House, for example, is one of the most popular venues for celeb spotting. Another local landmark worth a visit is G-A-Y, hosting some high-profile stars. 

Soho has a unique feel to it, which you will only be fully able to understand once you visit the area. 

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There is no denying the fact that the area of Soho is a rather small one. It spans for just a little over a quarter-mile, but within that tiny space is a spirit of entertainment that you will hardly find anywhere else in London. 

Soho has somewhat of a sleazy past. Before, it used to be a den for drinking and brothels. You can see some of the remnants of that past still there, especially if you scratch lightly beneath the current surface. However, for all those who have come to know the area, its past brings no shame, but the only charm to the current place.

In this guide, you will discover some of the interesting aspects of Soho, all of which makes it the colourful area that it is. Let’s explore some of the most interesting aspects of Soho. 

The LGBTQ+ scene 

London is thriving with hotspots for LGBTQ nightlife, but Soho is the unquestioned leader of such venues. More specifically, it is Old Compton Street that has this vibe to it. That is the location of 2 of the most popular pubs – the Duke of Wellington and Admiral Duncan. Both of these are perhaps the most iconic gay bars in the whole of London. For more of this, you can head out to G-A-Y Bar or G-A-Y Late, both of which are just minutes’ walk from one another. If you are craving for a DJ-run party night, then Circa is the place to check out. Village bar offers a more relaxing experience, with a history of serving drinks spanning over 3 decades. It is worth mentioning that Soho is home to the only women-priority bar in London. That is She Soho and it is quite popular for its varied program, ranging from DJ nights to karaoke parties. 

Going out to cafes and coffee shops 

Seeing as how Soho is responsible for numerous hangovers, it only makes sense because it has a nice representation of coffee shops, to allow people to pick themselves up after a rough party night. Since the late 1800s, Algerian Coffee Stores have been a prime example of what it takes to serve the best espresso in the area. If, however, you are after the finer coffee, then Bar Italia is the place to be. Bar Termini does well to aid it, having the benefit of turning into a wonderful cocktail spot at night. Fernandez & Wellz has seen Soho as its spiritual home. It even has its signature coffee – Stumpy, which is basically what the owners describe as a mini flat white. There is also My Place, which offers great coffee by day, and turns into an even greater nightspot once the sun goes down. 

The artful guide 

Soho proudly takes on the West End theatre scene, with some of the most beloved theatre venues – Prince Edward Theatre, Palace Theatre, London Palladium and Queen’s Theatre. They host a number of the biggest plays, from Harry Potter to Les Miserables. You could call Soho Theatre of the bastion of comedy since many famous names have played there. It is also very popular for its cabaret nights. There are also a few galleries to browse, such as the Photographer’s Gallery and the Marian Goodman Gallery. There is also the Frith Street Gallery, with a couple of spaces in Soho. It is famous for showcasing anything from sculpture to painting. 

Overall, Soho has a well-earned reputation for entertainment and you can also find great office space in Soho. It is a great place to visit for a drink, or to properly party on that birthday of yours. 

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